Hair toxicology/hair strand/hair follicle

Testing hair for drugs is common, particularly in the Family court. We offer a results review and interpretation service covering many topics including:

1. Month-by-month results versus bulk sample (1.5"/c. 3 cm).

2. Effects of hair dye, hair bleach, cleaning products.

3. Detailed interpretation, taking into account the effects of hair growth, hair location (areas other than the head), environmental conditions and their effects.

4. Results from children; hair growth rates are different in children.

5. Consideration of results from particular laboratories with reference to the recommendations of the Society of Hair Testing.

6. Serious criminal charges such as murder, Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA, better know as “date rape” using “date rape drugs”), rape or sexual assault.

Forensic hair analysis generally involves cases where the drug history of an individual is required. The hair analysis has to be undertaken by a specialist forensic toxicologist and the test is sometimes referred to as a “hair follicle test”. Hair samples can be analysed with detection of specific drugs in mind.